For the first time in his collegiate career, Penn State football quarterback Drew Allar was named to the 2023 watch list for the Maxwell Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Thursday. The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the nation’s best college football player.

Allar is one of 12 Big Ten players on the Maxwell Award Watch List, but the only one added to the watch list midseason. Allar also joins Penn State running back Nick Singleton on the list, who was added before the season began. With Allar’s addition, Penn State joins Michigan, Ohio State, and Wisconsin on the short list of Big Ten schools that have multiple players on the Maxwell Award Watch List.

Allar is halfway through an extremely promising campaign in his first year as the starting quarterback for the Nittany Lions. He has accumulated 1,254 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and zero turnovers through his first six games of the 2023 season. With an additional three rushing touchdowns, Allar currently stands as the player in college football with the most touchdowns who hasn’t given up a turnover.

An opportunity for Allar to solidify himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the country awaits. This Saturday, Drew Allar will lead the undefeated Nittany Lions into Columbus for a battle against No. 3 Ohio State. Kickoff is slated for noon on Saturday, October 21, and the game will be broadcast on FOX.